NFL Player News

Ijalana was projected to be the Jets’ swing tackle this season, so this is a hit to the line’s depth. To take his place, the Jets signed G/C Gino Gradkowski.

NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reports that Maulet is retiring. The 33-year-old slot cornerback began his career with the Saints and Colts and ended it with the Lions, but made the bulk of his impact from 2019-2024 with the Jets, Steelers, and Ravens. Maulet made major noise as a hard-hitting cornerback in the AFC North, going from the Steelers to the Ravens in 2023 and starting a playoff game for Mike Macdonald’s historic Ravens defense. He retires with five career interceptions and five sacks.

Burks was limited-DNP-limited due to the foot injury last week, but played through it for five targets in the Commanders’ Week 8 win over the Eagles. He starts out this week as a DNP as the Commanders manage his injury. Given he already played a game with the injury, Burks is still likely to play in Week 9, though he will need to get a practice in later this week to feel better about his chances of playing against the Rams.

Njoku had his practice window opened this week, giving the Chargers 21 days to activate him off injured reserve. He has been out since Week 3 and is now nearing a return, getting in limited work with a fibula injury on Wednesday. WR Brenen Thompson (quad/hamstring) was a DNP on Wednesday. Neither Njoku nor Thompson need to be on fantasy rosters just yet.

Martinez has bounced around the 49ers and Jets in the NFL, while winning MVP in the UFL in 2024. He worked out for the Ravens earlier this week but now joins the Seahawks as depth with Sam Darnold (quad) banged up and set to miss Week 9 against the Cardinals.

Kirk comes out of the 49ers’ bye as a limited practice participant due to a knee issue. He was not targeted in Week 7 after returning off a calf injury and should remain off fantasy rosters even if he plays in Week 9 against the Raiders.

Blankenship has been dealing with a concussion since Week 6 and still has it listed as an injury designation nearly three weeks later. He is also listed with a hand injury. Blankenship will need to progress through concussion protocol to have a chance at playing in Week 9; he is on the wrong side of questionable for now.

Gainwell saw 25 carries in a run-heavy game against the Falcons in Week 8. Bowles said, “I think we finally got to where we’re utilizing Kenny more and more, and that’s kind of the 1A, 1B we were talking about when we first signed him.” Gainwell saw 50-percent of the snaps for the first time all season last week and now has back-to-back weeks of at least 14 carries. He is still seeing low utilization in the passing game and game script has certainly played a role in his recent role, but it is notable that Bowles mentions the Bucs envisioned a 1A/1B backfield pairing between Bucky Irving and Gainwell. Despite Bowles’ comments, fantasy managers should anticipate Irving operating with the majority of backfield touches, like he did from Weeks 1-6. We will still have to see Gainwell’s usage in a more neutral game script to feel confident about him as a fantasy option moving forward.

Campbell missed the Eagles’ Week 8 game against the Commanders after not practicing all of last week due to hamstring and quad injuries. He starts out this week DNP, along with DBs Michael Carter (abdomen) and Jonathan Jones (hamstring) on the defensive side of the ball. All three will need some kind of practice later in the week to have a chance at reinforcing the Eagles defense in Week 9 against the Giants.

Elliot was listed as a limited participant for the Eagles’ Wednesday practice. The 31-year-old has made 6-of-7 field goals this season and all 17 extra points. He is still trending to play in Week 9, but if the Eagles add another kicker sometime this week, that would indicate Elliot’s ankle injury is a real issue.

McDuffie played through a groin injury in Week 8 and seemingly picked up a new back injury during the game. Rams head coach Sean McVay said McDuffie will be a DNP Wednesday, indicating the 26-year-old’s back issue is more than a minor flare-up. It’s possible he is getting the day off to rest the groin and back injuries, but Rams fans should keep an eye on his practice status the rest of the week. It’s safe to say McDuffie is truly questionable for Week 9 against the Commanders.